It's easy to see why someone would covet the ABC's news service, but I'm not so sure the ABC understands the importance of protecting its own asset. They need to be more careful about drawing the line between PR and news.

Judy was, and alas still is, weekend newsreader for WIN TV in Hobart. She's also been doing PR for the still beleaguered INCAT.

Since that story WIN's commercial rival Southern Cross News has shown weekend* anchorman Steve Titmus the door because he took a job running the Launceston office of Tasmania's biggest public relations company. Titmus was hoping to hang onto both jobs:

‘I’ve always immensely enjoyed interacting with business people and this is a great opportunity with a leading firm…I don’t think there will be a conflict of interest.’Hobart Mercury 12 June 2002

Southern Cross Television did. News Manager Grant Wilson said Steve's new job put the station in an untenable position.

‘It is important that the nightly news program be kept free of any perceived controversy or a situation that might bring into question its credibility or integrity.’Hobart Mercury 19 June 2002

Which brings us back to the ABC, where a Newcastle University staff PR Katie Porritt is employed at weekends to compile and read local ABC news bulletins in Newcastle. Here she is early this month working for the ABC, or Newcastle University, or maybe both:

‘And Newcastle is gearing up for an influx of 3,000 students this weekend for the Eastern University Games being hosted by Newcastle University Sport. The event starts with a welcoming ceremony tomorrow night and will continue until Thursday injecting an expected $1.5 million into the local economy.’ABC Radio 1233 Newcastle 6 July 2002

During the week, Katie Porritt wrote the press release for that event, then came into the ABC at the weekend, chose that story written from the press release, and read it on the news in three seperate bulletins.

John Cameron, the National Editor of ABC News and Current Affairs told Media Watch:

‘It’s not ideal, but we’re not talking about contentious material here and we make every effort to avoid potential and perceived conflicts of interest. We will monitor the situation and we’ll act to prevent any potential conflict or perception of conflict.’John Cameron to Media Watch

Sure she's not spruiking for an ailing ship builder, John, but can't you as a professional journalist see that Porritt should not be presenting news on her own PR events?

‘Katie Porritt has a 4 hour job as newsreader for the ABC. She’s read critical stories on the University in the past. If you disqualify from potential casual employment everyone who has a full time job we’d have trouble finding people to fill these casual news reading positions.’John Cameron to Media Watch